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Mississippi

Down 1 place from 2026

Mississippi ranks 27th overall on the 2027 State Tax Competitiveness Index.

Score 5.19 / 10

Notable Changes Mississippi is singled out in the study for this year's changes.

In the 2027 Index

Mississippi saw its individual income tax score improve from 34th to 29th, due to an income tax rate reduction from 4.4 to 4 percent. Mississippi also decreased its capital stock tax rate from 0.075 percent to 0.05 percent. However, due to other states also improving, Mississippi’s overall rank fell one place, from 26th to 27th.

Snapshot date: The 2027 Index measures each state's tax law as of July 1, 2026. Changes enacted after that date are not reflected in these ranks.

About Mississippi's Tax Code

Mississippi, which ranks near the middle of the pack on the Index, benefits from a low, flat individual income tax rate and a relatively low corporate income tax rate. However, Mississippi’s throwback rule exposes in-state firms to higher Mississippi tax liability when they sell tangible property into states with which they do not have nexus. Additionally, Mississippi maintains a graduated-rate corporate income tax despite moving to a single-rate individual income tax in 2023, a rate that has been reduced to 4 percent as of 2026.

While Mississippi’s statewide sales tax rate is among the highest in the country at 7 percent, low reliance on local sales taxes yields a combined state and average local rate that sits near the middle of the pack.

Notably, as part of a series of recent pro-growth reforms, in 2023, Mississippi joined Oklahoma to become the second state in the country to enact permanent full expensing for machinery and equipment investments at a time when this provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was scheduled to phase out. Mississippi also conforms to Section 174A, allowing full first-year expensing of research and experimentation investments. Combined, these provisions increase Mississippi’s attractiveness for firms that are investment-intensive. Additionally, Mississippi’s capital stock tax is scheduled to phase out by 2028, which will further improve the state’s ability to attract business investment.

While Mississippi’s property taxes are relatively low, its taxation of tangible personal property, including business inventory, as well as intangible property, penalizes in-state investment and hurts the state’s property tax component score.

Component Scores

#27 overall · 5.19 / 10

Each component is scored from 0 to 10, where 10 is best. Select a component for its detail page.

2.557.510CorporateIndividualIncomeSalesPropertyUnemploymentInsurance
Mississippi Rank and Score by Component
Component Rank Score
Corporate Taxes #6 5.84 / 10
Individual Income Taxes #29 5.14 / 10
Sales Taxes #25 4.88 / 10
Property Taxes #38 4.48 / 10
Unemployment Insurance Taxes #11 5.64 / 10

Ranking Changes, 2020–2027

#27 in 2027 · up 1 place from 2020

Mississippi ranked 28th in 2020 and ranks 27th in 2027, an improvement of 1 place. The axis is zoomed to the state's range. Ranks for 2020 through 2026 are backcast under the current methodology.

RankHigher is better ↑25th27th29th31st202020212022202320242025202620272828273129262627
Show the Table
Mississippi Rank and Score by Year
Year OverallCorporateIndividual IncomeSalesPropertyUnemployment Insurance
2020 28 (5.05) 9 (5.60) 34 (4.89) 27 (4.79) 38 (4.36) 6 (5.85)
2021 28 (5.05) 10 (5.60) 33 (4.90) 23 (4.80) 39 (4.36) 6 (5.81)
2022 27 (5.09) 10 (5.64) 34 (4.94) 24 (4.85) 40 (4.31) 5 (5.90)
2023 31 (5.06) 10 (5.64) 34 (4.95) 25 (4.80) 39 (4.32) 7 (5.72)
2024 29 (5.10) 5 (5.93) 36 (4.95) 22 (4.83) 39 (4.34) 12 (5.54)
2025 26 (5.10) 5 (5.91) 37 (4.95) 22 (4.82) 37 (4.35) 14 (5.54)
2026 26 (5.12) 6 (5.86) 34 (4.95) 25 (4.87) 39 (4.38) 13 (5.64)
2027 27 (5.19) 6 (5.84) 29 (5.14) 25 (4.88) 38 (4.48) 11 (5.64)

Mississippi Compared across the States

#27 overall

Each row places the states on a 0 to 10 score scale for one measure. Mississippi is the large outlined dot, and the dashed line is the 50-state median, so a dot to its right scores better than the typical state. Hover over or tab to any dot for detail, and select it to open that state's profile.

Overall

#27 5.19

Corporate Taxes

#6 5.84

Individual Income Taxes

#29 5.14

Sales Taxes

#25 4.88

Property Taxes

#38 4.48

Unemployment Insurance Taxes

#11 5.64

  • Mississippi
  • Other states, by rank (1st to 50th)
  • 50-state median

Mississippi and Its Neighbors

#27 overall

Mississippi borders 4 states and ranks 27th overall; 2 of them rank higher and 2 rank lower.

Mississippi Bordering states

What Each Component Includes

The five components of the Index, what each one covers, and where Mississippi lands. Open any component for the full breakdown.

  • Corporate Taxes

    Rank #6

    Includes corporate income taxes and gross receipts taxes. Measures the impact of each state’s principal tax on business activities.

    • Corporate Income Tax Rates
    • Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions
    • Net Operating Losses
    • Treatment of Capital Investment
    • Other Corporate Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for Mississippi →
  • Individual Income Taxes

    Rank #29

    Covers the tax individuals pay on income, and with it a significant number of businesses — sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations — that report their income through the individual income tax code.

    • Individual Income Tax Rates
    • Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation
    • Other Individual Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for Mississippi →
  • Sales Taxes

    Rank #25

    Covers the general sales tax levied on the purchase price of goods and services, plus excise taxes on gasoline, diesel, tobacco, vapor products, beer, and spirits, and taxes on digital advertising.

    • Sales and Excise Tax Rates
    • Business-to-Business Exemptions
    • Consumer Goods and Services in the Base
    • Sales Tax Structure
    Full Breakdown for Mississippi →
  • Property Taxes

    Rank #38

    Includes taxes on real and personal property, net worth, and the transfer of assets — among them capital stock, estate, inheritance, and real estate transfer taxes.

    • Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates
    • Property Tax Bases
    Full Breakdown for Mississippi →
  • Unemployment Insurance Taxes

    Rank #11

    Covers the taxes employers pay into the state unemployment insurance program to finance benefits for workers recently unemployed.

    • UI Tax Rates
    • Experience Formulas and Charging Methods
    • Other UI Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for Mississippi →

Tax Data Explorer

Every policy variable behind Mississippi's 2027 scores, grouped by the report's tables, as of July 1, 2026. Its bordering states are shown alongside to start. Search the variables and values, or add up to 4 states to compare side by side.

152 data points · Shaded values differ from Mississippi

Corporate Taxes: Corporate Income Tax Rates

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Bracket 14.0% > $5,0006.5% > $0 (differs)1.0% > $0 (differs)5.5% > $0 (differs)6.5% > $0 (differs)
Bracket 25.0% > $10,000n.a. (differs)2.0% > $3,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 3n.a.n.a.3.0% > $6,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Bracket 4n.a.n.a.4.3% > $11,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Gross Receipts TaxNoNoNoNoYes (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Minimum Raten.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.0.02% (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Maximum Raten.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.0.1875% (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Rate Used in the Indexn.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.0.15% (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Job CreditsYesYesYesYesYes
Research and Development CreditsNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Investment CreditsYesYesYesYesYes
Compensation Expenses Deductiblen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.No (differs)
Cost of Goods Sold Deductiblen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.No (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Net Operating Losses

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Conforms to Federal NOL TreatmentNoNoNoNoNo
Carryback (Years)20 (differs)0 (differs)0 (differs)0 (differs)
Carryback CapUnlimited$0 (differs)$0 (differs)$0 (differs)$0 (differs)
Carryforward (Years)2015 (differs)10 (differs)Unlimited (differs)15 (differs)
Carryforward CapUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited72% (differs)Unlimited

Corporate Taxes: Treatment of Capital Investment

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Section 168(k) Expensing100%100%0% (differs)100%20% (differs)
Conforms to Section 163(j) LimitationNoYes (differs)NoYes (differs)No
GILTI InclusionDecouplesDecouplesDecouplesDecouples5% Inclusion (differs)
Section 174 ExpensingYesYesYesYesYes
Section 168(n) ExpensingYesYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Other Corporate Base Variables

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Federal Income Used as State Tax BaseNoYes (differs)NoYes (differs)Yes (differs)
Conformity StatusStatic (not current)Rolling (differs)Static (not current)Rolling (differs)Rolling (differs)
Allows Federal ACRS or MACRS DepreciationYesYesYesYesYes
Allows Federal DepletionPartialYes (differs)Yes (differs)PartialPartial
Throwback RuleYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)No (differs)
Foreign Tax DeductibilityNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Corporate AMTNoNoNoNoNo
Brackets Indexed for InflationNoFlat CIT (differs)NoFlat CIT (differs)Flat CIT (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Individual Income Tax Rates

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Bracket 14.0% > $10,0002.0% > $0 (differs)2.0% > $0 (differs)3.0% > $0 (differs)No Income Tax (differs)
Bracket 2n.a.4.0% > $500 (differs)3.7% > $4,700 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Bracket 3n.a.5.0% > $3,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.
Standard Deduction (Single Filer)$2,300$3,000 (differs)$2,470 (differs)$12,875 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption (Single Filer)$6,000$1,500 (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption Credit (Single Filer)n.a.n.a.$29 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Personal Exemption per Dependent$1,500$1,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption Credit per Dependentn.a.n.a.$29 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Average Local Income Tax RateNone0.50% (differs)NoneNoneNone
Surtaxes on Wage Incomen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.

Individual Income Taxes: Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Marriage PenaltyNoNoYes (differs)Non.a. (differs)
Married Couples Can File Separately on One ReturnNoNoYes (differs)Non.a. (differs)
Convenience RuleNoNoNoNoNo
Interest TaxedYesYesYesYesn.a. (differs)
Dividends TaxedYesYesYesYesn.a. (differs)
Capital Gains TaxedYesYesYesYesn.a. (differs)
Combined Capital Gains Tax Rate4.4%5% (differs)1.85% (differs)3% (differs)n.a. (differs)
Tax Brackets Indexed for InflationNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a. (differs)
Standard Deduction Indexed for InflationNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption Indexed for InflationNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a. (differs)
Progressivity Ratio1.001.001.001.00n.a. (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Base Variables

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Federal Income Used as State Tax BaseNoNoNoYes (differs)n.a. (differs)
Conformity StatusStatic (not current)Rolling (differs)Static (not current)Rolling (differs)n.a. (differs)
Credits for Taxes Paid to Other StatesYesYesYesYesn.a. (differs)
AMT LeviedNoNoNoNon.a. (differs)
Recognition of S Corporation StatusYesYesYesYesYes
Section 179 Expensing Limit$2,560,000$2,560,000$1,250,000 (differs)$2,560,000$2,560,000
TipsTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)
OvertimeTaxablePartial (differs)TaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)
Filing and Withholding Threshold Index05 (differs)010 (differs)10 (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Income Variables

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Income RecaptureNoNoYes (differs)Non.a. (differs)

Sales Taxes: Sales and Excise Tax Rates

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
State Sales Tax Rate7.00%4.00% (differs)6.50% (differs)5.00% (differs)7.00%
Average Local Sales Tax Rate0.06%5.46% (differs)2.98% (differs)5.13% (differs)2.61% (differs)
Maximum Local Sales Tax Rate1.00%11.00% (differs)6.125% (differs)7.00% (differs)2.75% (differs)
Gasoline Tax (Cents per Gallon)24.4031.00 (differs)25.00 (differs)20.93 (differs)27.40 (differs)
Diesel Tax (Cents per Gallon)24.432.75 (differs)28.8 (differs)20.93 (differs)28.4 (differs)
Cigarette Tax (Dollars per Pack of 20)$0.68$0.675 (differs)$1.15 (differs)$1.08 (differs)$0.62 (differs)
Beer Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$0.4268$0.5333 (differs)$0.3722 (differs)$0.4032 (differs)$1.2868 (differs)
Spirits Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$9.38$22.87 (differs)$9.76 (differs)$3.03 (differs)$4.46 (differs)
Vapor Tax Ratio to Cigarette Taxn.a.n.a.n.a.15.00% (differs)26.1667% (differs)

Sales Taxes: Business-to-Business Exemptions

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Business InputsSome TaxableSome TaxableSome TaxableSome TaxableSome Taxable
Farm EquipmentPartialPartialExempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)
Office EquipmentTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Manufacturing MachineryPartialPartialExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Manufacturing Raw MaterialsExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Business Fuel and UtilitiesExemptExemptPartial (differs)Partial (differs)Partial (differs)
Business Leases and RentalsTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Information ServicesExemptTaxable (differs)ExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Software as a Service (SaaS)TaxableTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableTaxable
Platform as a Service (PaaS)ExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Digital B2B ProductsTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableTaxableTaxable
Payroll ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Data Center PurchasesExemptPartial (differs)ExemptExemptExempt
Digital Advertising TaxNoNoNoNoNo

Sales Taxes: Consumer Goods and Services in the Base

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
GroceriesAlternate RateAlternate RateAlternate RateExempt (differs)Alternate Rate
ClothingTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Prescription MedicationExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Nonprescription MedicationTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
GasolineExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
LandscapingTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Repair ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableTaxableTaxable
Real Estate ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
ParkingTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableTaxableTaxable
Dry CleaningTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableTaxableTaxable
Fitness ServicesExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt
Barber ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Veterinary ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
E-BooksTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Streaming VideoTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Medical ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Legal ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Financial ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Accounting ServicesExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Sales Tax HolidayYesYesYesYesYes

Sales Taxes: Sales Tax Structure

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Uniform Base DefinitionsYesYesYesNo (differs)Yes
Unified Tax AdministrationYesPartial (differs)YesPartial (differs)Yes
Safe Harbor for Remote SellersGross Sales ThresholdGross Sales ThresholdSales or Transactions Threshold (differs)Gross Sales ThresholdGross Sales Threshold

Property Taxes: Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Property Tax Collections per Capita$1,310$849 (differs)$961 (differs)$1,191 (differs)$921 (differs)
Property Tax as a Percentage of Personal Income2.52%1.48% (differs)1.62% (differs)1.93% (differs)1.39% (differs)
Assessment LimitNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoNo
Levy LimitYesNo (differs)YesYesNo (differs)
Capital Stock Tax Rate0.05%0.175% (differs)0.3% (differs)None (differs)0.25% (differs)
Capital Stock Tax Maximum PaymentUnlimited$15,000 (differs)Unlimitedn.a. (differs)Unlimited
Payment Options for Capital Stock and Corporate Income TaxesPay bothPay bothPay bothn.a. (differs)Pay both

Property Taxes: Property Tax Bases

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Tangible Personal Property TaxYesYesYesYesYes
Tangible Personal Property De Minimis ExemptionNone$100,000 (differs)NoneNoneNone
Intangible Property TaxYesYesNo (differs)YesYes
Inventory TaxYesNo (differs)YesYesNo (differs)
Real Estate Transfer TaxNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoYes (differs)
Split RollYesYesNo (differs)YesYes
Split Roll Ratio1.502.00 (differs)1.00 (differs)1.501.60 (differs)
Estate TaxNoNoNoNoNo
Inheritance TaxNoNoNoNoNo
Gift TaxNoNoNoNoNo

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: UI Tax Rates

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Minimum Rate0.20%0.20%0.20%0.09% (differs)0.01% (differs)
Maximum Rate5.60%5.40% (differs)10.10% (differs)6.20% (differs)10.00% (differs)
Taxable Wage Base$14,000$8,000 (differs)$7,000 (differs)$7,000 (differs)$7,000 (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.00%0.14% (differs)0.10% (differs)0.09% (differs)0.01% (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate5.40%5.40%6.00% (differs)6.00% (differs)10.00% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.00%0.65% (differs)0.08% (differs)0.09% (differs)0.50% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate5.40%6.80% (differs)6.00% (differs)6.00% (differs)10.00% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Total Wages0.13%0.09% (differs)0.14% (differs)0.22% (differs)0.15% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Taxable Wages0.41%0.51% (differs)0.88% (differs)1.31% (differs)0.96% (differs)
Trust Fund Solvency Ratio1.241.15 (differs)1.06 (differs)0.82 (differs)0.77 (differs)
New Employer Rate1.00%2.70% (differs)2.00% (differs)3.00% (differs)2.70% (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Experience Formulas and Charging Methods

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Experience Formula Based OnBenefits RatioBenefits RatioReserve Ratio (differs)Reserve Ratio (differs)Reserve Ratio (differs)
Benefits Charged in Proportion to Base-Period WagesYesYesYesYesYes
Charged If Employee's Benefit Award Is ReversedYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Charged for Reimbursements on Combined Wage ClaimsYesYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)
Charged If Employee Left VoluntarilyNoNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Was Discharged for MisconductNoNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Refused Suitable WorkNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoYes (differs)
Charged If Employee Continues to Work Part-TimeNoNoNoNoNo

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Other UI Base Variables

VariableMississippiAlabamaArkansasLouisianaTennessee
Solvency TaxNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Taxes for Socialized Costs or Negative Balance EmployersNoYes (differs)NoYes (differs)No
Loan and Interest Repayment SurtaxesNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Reserve TaxesNoNoNoNoNo
Surtaxes for UI Administration or Non-UI PurposesYesYesYesYesNo (differs)
Temporary Disability InsuranceNoNoNoNoNo
Voluntary ContributionsNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Years to Qualify for Experience Rating3332 (differs)3

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About the Authors

Janelle Fritts Tax Foundation
Expert

Janelle Fritts

Senior Policy Analyst

Janelle Fritts is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Tax Foundation’s Center for State Tax Policy. She is the lead researcher on the annual State Tax Competitiveness Index and serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structures of their state tax codes. Her work has been cited in The New York Times, the Associated Press, Bloomberg, and numerous state media outlets across the country.

Jared Walczak Tax Foundation
Expert

Jared Walczak

Senior Fellow

Jared Walczak is a Senior Fellow at the Tax Foundation, where he spent five years as Vice President of State Projects, and president of Walczak Policy Consulting.

Nicole Fox Tax Foundation
Expert

Nicole Fox

Policy Analyst

Nicole Fox is a Policy Analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, where she serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structure of their state tax codes.

Katherine Loughead Tax Foundation
Expert

Katherine Loughead

Vice President of State Tax Policy

Katherine Loughead is the Vice President of State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, where she oversees the state tax policy team’s research agenda and serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structure of their state tax codes.

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Jesse Solis

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